New TOPS group forms in Monticello

MONTICELLO, Maine — A new TOPS Chapter (Take off Pounds Sensibly) has started in the community.  The chapter meets every Monday night beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Wellington School.
The chapter was formed through the efforts of Darcy Nason and Ann Joy.
    “Darcy and I had been talking about we needed to do something to get ourselves motivated to get healthy because of the recent changes in our healthcare plans,” said Joy, “Darcy was telling me their new insurance plan required them to first fill out a health survey in order to sign up for their new plan. I, in turn, told her our company has also put a new employee healthcare plan in place and that  last year you volunteered to do a health screening. But for this year it was mandatory.” Joy added.  “This year there is also a downloaded health application that can be used to record calories eaten, a weight record and activity counter such as walking, aerobics, and whatever healthy activity you chose could be counted.”
“So, we thought we’d get a group going so that others could participate  and we wanted something we could do locally, that we wouldn’t have to drive to do,” said Nason. “So when Ann said she used to do a TOPS group, I offered to help get one going in Monticello.”
The chapters first weigh-in had seven members with a total first week loss of 17.34 pounds, a great start to head into the winter months and holidays. The chapter is inviting other community members to join them on Monday nights.
TOPS, a nonprofit organization providing weight-loss support since 1948, has over 2,000,000 members worldwide. They meet weekly, in local chapters, giving each other moral support and encouragement as they use good nutrition and exercise to take pounds of sensibly.